Perennial herb, apparently with short rhizomes. Leaves somewhat aromatic when crushed. Basal leaves larger and deeply palmately lobed; all leaves dark green and slightly shining above. Corolla 7-9 mm long to apex of ± hooded and much larger upper lip, densely white hairy outside ± pink inside or whitish and with darker spots on both lips, especially dense on upper. Fruiting calyx lobes spinose. Not the same as the usual "motherwort" cultivated.